Rabbit Hole Carnival: Was It Worth it?

“I’m sorry?” Renee replied, as she turned back to a customer.

“Was it worth it?” the older man asked.

As a few customers got up Renee held up a hand. “You need to leave, and you tell Mike that yes it was. I’m happy here. I’m not walking on eggshells, I don’t randomly need to cry, or bury myself in my room. I can just be me, and be here. And that very fact that is not accepted over there is why I'm here.”

A customer got up, and grabbed the  hand that looked like it was about to slap her. “You heard the girl leave.” 
---

“If she is late she has a good reason .” Nick said. “Just give a minute or two please.”

Cel and Reene busted through the door. “Really, sorry.” Cel said. “We've gotten very story based ever since we kicked one guy out. And Renee did say she had to get back a bit early. And then help make like one the best arc ever, and we got super lost in it.”

“We will, of course, honor the full time, if you’re still available.” Renee replied while walking behind the counter. “What can I get both of you?”

“We’ll take two Homesicks.” The older woman replied.

“I’ll take a double mixed Festival actually, if that’s okay? I'm Nathan, and this Susan.” Nathan said.
“But you love sour, don’t want a Homesick.” Susan asked. “We book this place to help comfort you. You should have your favorite.”

“I don’t even know what my favorite is here yet.” Nathan replied.

“And just where are you going?!” Susan said, to Nick.

“I trust my children, madam.” Nick replied, coldly. “You should try it sometime.”

“You know, it's kind of funny.” Renee replied, setting two drinks down. “Daddy tried to get me to take the day off just the other day too, and didn’t believe that I was fine at first. Trust me enough to let me though.”

“What is this?” Susan asked. “It doesn’t taste sour.”

“Hasn’t stopped you from drinking it.” Nathan chuckled. “My vote is for the omnifruit taste if that matters?”

“It doesn't, but thank you for the tally.” Renee replied. “I do keep a score, but that's just out of personal interest. And it’s a Fruit Roulette with lemon taken out of the roulette part. You two are here to set a mood and possibly some boundaries. You should be having drinks you want to have. Favorites or otherwise.”

“I just… I never know if I’m doing enough.” Susan replied. “I know, Nathan. I know I’m doing better than your father, but I just want to give you the life I promise I’d give my children.”

“The take off with a word sort, or the beating and locking you up bed sort?” Renee asked.

“Both.” Nathan replied. “You might wanna get a drink yourself. Given your… own experience.”

“Just might have to take you up on that, Nathan.” Renee said. “I’ll be right back.”

“Given her own experience?” Susan replied. “Is one of the reasons you wanted to come here.”

“Sort of.” Nathan replied. “I don’t actually know the story myself. I just heard she was really, and knowing people's drink of choice at a glance, and had a bit of a troubled family past herself.”

“Really weird feeling getting famous.” Renee said, and took a swig. “Off of making it despite an abusive father of all things. But I think about time we got down to business here, so Nathan was it worth it?”

“Wha?... Of course it is was!” Nathan replied. “Do you have any idea how I’ve grown since he was kicked out of my life? I’ve made friends for once. Had a few video game nights, and just been able to me for the first time in like 10 years! How could that not be worth it?”

“Sometimes the people who made it worth it need to hear that, Nathan.” Renee replied. “Daddy needs to hear it all the time, and Mike was his brother. “I should be somewhere better than this dusty old tavern theme bar. I should be using this little seeing eye gift for something more profound than a good drink, Blah blah blah.”

“Well I for one like you as you are.” Susan replied. “As you are, and right where you are.” Nathan hugged his mom, and she hugged back. “Both of you.”

“So he likes sour?” Renee asked, taking another swing. “We got the rest of the time. Minus well find out if it’s his favorite drink or not.”